In the last week of March 2020, the University appealed to you to come forward and contribute to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to your support, we got inspired to launch ‘DU Care for Neighbour’ programme to feed the hungry in the neighborhoods of our North and South campuses and also contributed one day’s salary to the relief efforts.

We have come to realize that we are in the midst of the biggest battle that human civilization has fought in recent centuries. Life as we know it has come to a standstill. There has been an unprecedented increase in the numbers of have-nots in every part of the world.

In these circumstances, it’s incumbent upon us to raise the level of social consciousness. We can set an example of extraordinary sensitivity by contributing a percentage of our gross salary for a few months to The PM CARES Fund for the welfare of those affected by the pandemic.

By doing so, we can at least try to repay an unquantifiable debt to those who have nurtured us and thus become the beacon of hope in their lives.

You can make a positive difference in people’s lives through this contribution. Don’t miss to water your roots. Let the University be known not only for its academic excellence but also for its philanthropic flagrance.

May we all grow in wisdom and heart, and emerge more resilient than ever before.

Today, 1 May 2020, is a momentous day for the University of Delhi as we celebrate its 98th Foundation Day. This day is also an exceptional one for each one of us as it offers a unique opportunity to celebrate what we have accomplished, to express our gratitude to those who have contributed to the growth of the University and to strengthen our resolve to continue developing our institution for our future generations.

The University which started in 1922 with just four colleges and two faculties has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, we are 16 faculties, 86 departments and 91 colleges strong community. But more than the quantitative and infrastructural expansion, what drives us more is our university’s qualitative and intellectual expansion. Also, what makes us euphoric is the growing strength of our brilliant students and eminent alumni.

Looking back on last year, we are proud of our collective efforts and accomplishments. We were not only recognized as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) by the Ministry of Human Resource Development but also conferred with graded autonomy Category-I by the UGC on the basis of our consistent performance and progress.

Also, 2019-2020 was an important year of institution-building for us. To cater to social needs and to give major impetus for cutting edge research we established four new institutions: Delhi School of Public Policy & Governance; Delhi School of Public Health; Delhi School of Skill Enhancement & Entrepreneurship Development; and Delhi School of Climate Change & Sustainability. In addition, we have started the process of building a new women’s college at Fatehpur Beri Village in South-West Delhi to help uplift the standard of education mainly in the rural areas of Delhi. We are sure that the network of interdisciplinary research institutions along with wider social outreach programmes that we are envisaging is going to be richly endowed by your illustrious contributions.

We have renewed our cherished dream of making our North Campus an integrated campus, and we deeply appreciate all those who are helping us in realizing this dream.

Whatever we have been achieving till now is an outcome of the inspirations, efforts and contributions of each one of you. The University is proud of and honored by those who have made constructive contribution peacefully.

As we navigate the new decade especially with so many challenges presented by COVID-19, we have to set the agenda for the future that must be based on the edifice of inclusion, diversity, innovation and sustainability for humanity. Let us also remind ourselves of those areas that we must pursue in our departments, faculties and colleges and also at an individual level to fulfil our dream of getting our university placed in the top 100 institutions of the world. Quality education, research & innovation, equitable ambience, sustainable campus, and partnerships with new knowledge producers are the major areas where we must continue to improve. Surely, each one of you has been gifted with enormous potential to do much more to take us to the league of the world top 100 universities.

Always remember that our country’s greatest strength is our people. Our colleges and universities’ greatest strength are our students. It is a sacrosanct duty of every faculty member to impart high-quality education to our students, produce world-class research, abide by the rule of law, and render national service when the occasion demands.

Today, we cannot ignore that COVID-19 has caused a massive disruption in our socio-economic life. It has taken the lives of more than two lakh people the world over. It has rendered millions of people unemployed, stranded, or vulnerable. Several professions are now inactive. The economy of every country is in jeopardy. The number of have-nots has increased dramatically in every nook and corner of the world.

All this has or is likely to have an adverse effect on poor people. They warrant our support. There is a need to mobilize additional resources so that crucial lives can be saved and vulnerable people can be helped diligently. In these circumstances, people who are at an advantage have a special responsibility to set examples of social sensitivity and philanthropy. This is one of the most crucial responsibilities of the University and its faculty members, in particular.

We all have a duty not only to consolidate the intellectual foundations of our university by following a rich teaching-learning process but also to strengthen the moral foundation of the University with the help of our exemplary philanthropy demonstrating our sensitivity toward vulnerable people who cannot overcome the present crisis without collective support. Let the University be known not only for its academic excellence but also for its philanthropic flagrance.

On our foundation day, let’s take a pledge to further solidify our resolve ‘to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.’

During these times of unprecedented crisis brought on humanity by the COVID-19 pandemic, all of you are in our thoughts and our prayers are with you and your family.

We are confident that you must be contributing diligently in the service of the nation at this critical juncture.

Your alma mater has always been committed to national service. You would be glad to know that this time also we are doing our best to meet the pandemic challenge not only on our own but also in cooperation with our government and committed individuals like you.

Though normal academic activities -- mainly classroom teaching and laboratory research -- have suffered owing to the distancing mandate, we have not allowed these constraints to hamper our pursuit of knowledge, research, innovation and social outreach. Indeed, the pandemic has forced us to rethink the way we work and deliver. Our faculty members have successfully explored virtual classrooms and other digital aids to ensure continuity in the teaching-learning process. We are contemplating the conduct of examinations for the current session for our learners who amount to nearly nine lakhs. We are reviewing our preparations for admissions in the next session. We feel confident our students will have a fruitful session this year, too

Majority of our students hail from different parts of India and some from countries across the globe. We are taking care of those who continue to reside in our hostels.

The University has responded promptly to the call for national service. The faculty and staff members of all departments and constituent colleges of the University have collectively contributed their one-day's salary, amounting to more than four crore rupees, to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund. We intend to do a lot more in the near future as well.

We have launched the 'DU Care for Neighbour' programme, so that no poor or homeless remain hungry in neighbourhoods of our North and South Campuses. We have encouraged our constituent colleges to take up the cause in their respective neighbourhoods.

The University has constituted a Special Task Force with a diverse representation that meets regularly through virtual mode to discuss impending challenges, devise solutions and implement them expeditiously.

You have been a constant pillar of support to the University and also a great contributor to nation-building. Today, your alma mater urges you to intensify your efforts to serve the society in whatever form you can from wherever you are located.

Together, we can enrich each other's lives, nourish humanity with greater unity of purpose and hope to build a better world.

We will be glad to know about your efforts in this direction and get inspired. Keep us posted about your efforts by writing to us at UnitedAgainstCorona@du.ac.in

Advisory to WUS Health Centre beneficiariesThose beneficiaries who intend to purchase medicines from their local chemist are allowed to do so and same shall be reimbursed so that they do not have to visit WUS Health Centre unnecessarily.